Joe Ralls says classy farewell as he leaves Cardiff after 15 years and 409 appearances

The a lot cherished Joe Ralls says a cultured farewell as he leaves League One aspect Cardiff Metropolis after 15 years and 409 appearances.

The Bluebirds has introduced that Joe Ralls, a membership legend with over 15 years of service, will go away on June thirtieth, 2025, when his contract expires, having made 409 appearances, scored 34 targets, and contributed to 2 Premier League promotions and the 2012 League Cup closing.

Rising from an Academy prospect to membership captain, his affect as a midfielder, chief, and group determine is extensively praised.

He expressed gratitude to followers, workers, teammates, and the board, reflecting on his dream of taking part in professionally, the highs and lows, and his satisfaction in captaining the membership. He endorsed new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy and urged followers to help the crew’s future.

Ralls leaves as a beloved determine, celebrated for his contributions on and off the pitch, with the membership and followers wishing him success in his subsequent chapter.

Over 15 years of unimaginable service to our membership.

Thanks, @Joe_Ralls 💙#CityAsOne | #ThankYouRallsy pic.twitter.com/uOPuVWICWR

— Cardiff Metropolis FC (@CardiffCityFC) June 21, 2025

#CardiffCity can affirm Membership legend @Joe_Ralls will go away on the finish of his present settlement.#CityAsOne | #ThankYouRallsy

— Cardiff Metropolis FC (@CardiffCityFC) June 21, 2025

CARDIFF STATEMENT:

Cardiff Metropolis Soccer Membership can affirm Joe Ralls will depart the Membership on June thirtieth 2025, following the conclusion of his present contract.

Joe leaves Cardiff Metropolis Stadium as a legend of the Membership, with over 15 years of service to the Bluebirds. Rallsy made 409 appearances for Metropolis, scoring 34 instances whereas successful promotion to the Premier League on two events and serving to the Bluebirds attain the League Cup closing in 2012.

He has gone from Academy prospect to Membership captain. His affect in a Cardiff Metropolis shirt can’t be overstated.

Tan Sri Vincent Tan stated: “Gamers like Joe Ralls don’t come round fairly often within the fashionable recreation. Joe has displayed unimaginable loyalty and love all through his 15 years right here.

“Whether or not it has been within the midfield, or displaying management behind the scenes, and at all times becoming a member of in with our group, he has been a figurehead and a gentleman in all the things he does. He has the respect of everybody at Cardiff Metropolis Soccer Membership. Thanks, Joe.”

Membership Chairman Mehmet Dalman added: “It has been an ideal pleasure to work with a consummate skilled and fantastic human in Joe.

“He has led by instance each single day. We want nothing however the utmost success to Joe for the rest of his taking part in profession and thank him immensely for his efforts with the Membership.”

CEO & Govt Director Ken Choo stated: “Joe has been an exquisite consultant for our soccer membership over the previous fifteen years. His story from the Academy to main the crew is a good inspiration to these coming by.

“I’d prefer to personally thank Joe for all the things he has completed for Cardiff Metropolis and want him luck sooner or later.”

Joe’s time with the Bluebirds started in 2010, becoming a member of Metropolis’s Academy from Farnborough. Throughout his apprenticeship at 17-years-old, Rallsy made his First Staff debut in August 2011 within the first recreation of our run to the League Cup closing. Inside two months, he’d penned a primary skilled contract and was scoring on his league debut, in opposition to Hull Metropolis.

He performed 20 instances for Metropolis throughout the cup closing season of 2011/12 and the Championship title marketing campaign of 2012/13, earlier than heading out on mortgage to Yeovil City for the 2013/14 season. Rallsy returned to the Bluebirds First Staff for 2014/15 and has been a key member of the squad ever since.

His finest scoring seasons in Cardiff Metropolis blue got here in our promotion successful marketing campaign of 2017/18 and play-off difficult 2019/20, when Joe netted on seven events. He scored his first hat-trick for the Membership within the latter, hitting three because the Bluebirds defeated Birmingham Metropolis.

Equally as spectacular as what he did on the sector for the Membership had been Joe’s charity and group work. Joe has been keenly concerned with Cardiff Metropolis’s Neighborhood Basis, Disabled Supporters Affiliation and at all times supplied phrases of steering, recommendation and help to any initiative that benefitted the South Wales group. He could not have been born in our metropolis, however Joe has earned the precise to be referred to as a ‘Cardiffian’.

After a few years aiding Sean Morrison, Rallsy was appointed Membership captain earlier than the 2022/23 season, main the Membership for 3 years. In January 2025, Joe made his four-hundredth look for Metropolis, additionally breaking into the listing for high ten most appearances for the Bluebirds.

To all bluebirds on the market.. Thanks from the underside of my coronary heart 💙 pic.twitter.com/42VaPJvILZ

– Joe Ralls (@JOE_ralls) June 21, 2025

Joe Ralls says: “It’s extremely onerous to search out the phrases after 15 years right here Bluebirds, however the time has come for me to maneuver on and for the membership to go in a brand new path.

“I might by no means have dreamt once I arrived within the capital metropolis of Wales all these years in the past that I might’ve been right here this lengthy and gone on to realize what we now have collectively.

“To the folks across the metropolis and the membership which have made me really feel at dwelling, I can’t thanks sufficient. All of the conversations I’ve had with folks across the streets of Cardiff I’ve at all times appreciated.

It’s an attractive metropolis and one I’ve been very lucky to name dwelling for the final 15 years.

It’s at all times been my dream to play skilled soccer and this membership gave me that chance which I’ll at all times be thankful for. To go on and characterize it over 400 instances has been past my wildest creativeness.

Via all of the highs of cup runs, two promotions, the Premier League seasons to the lows of relegations and tragedies that our membership has endured. We’ve witnessed all of it collectively throughout my time right here and one fixed by all of it has been your help of me and the remainder of the crew.

I’d prefer to thank the proprietor, Tan Sri, and all of our board members for the belief they’ve positioned in me through the years. The managers and coaches who I’ve at all times tried to do my finest for and to my teammates.

“I’ve made buddies for all times at this soccer membership and, collectively over a few years, we’ve been in a position to offer you followers loads of nice reminiscences, which is what soccer is all about.

“My proudest second all through my profession has been main this membership and group of gamers out during the last 3 seasons. It’s been robust at instances, none extra so than final season, however belief me, there’s a tremendous group of lads at our membership who’re determined to have success right here.

“They may want your continued help over the following season and past, such as you at all times do.

“I’d prefer to thank our new head coach, Brian Barry-Murphy, for being utterly trustworthy with me. That’s all I can ask for as a participant and after our dialog I’m actually enthusiastic about the way forward for this soccer membership and want him and his crew one of the best of luck for the upcoming season.

“Particular point out to the unsung heroes at a soccer membership, the medical and again room workers on the Vale who work tirelessly to make sure we get what we’d like as gamers, and all the nice folks down the stadium who be certain that our loyal followers get the precise alternatives to help the crew.

“Lastly… there aren’t any phrases that may clarify how grateful I’m to each single fan that has supported me through the years.

“Via the great instances and the dangerous, you’ve at all times been there for me and I can’t thanks sufficient.

“You’re the heartbeat of this soccer membership. When the entire membership pulls in the identical proper path, it’s a monumental energy.

“I’ve seen it at its finest and I can’t anticipate the day we’re again to that place. Good luck to you all.”

That is how followers reacted after Joe Ralls says a cultured farewell as he leaves Cardiff after 15 years and 409 appearances…

@Richjblake1: Every little thing us followers need in a participant. I hope whoever walks in his footsteps and joins us seems at Ralls for instance of what us followers count on when it comes to effort and dedication.

@snoopysnoopy135: Spending extra time with the medics the previous few seasons than on the pitch. Gonna discover it onerous to search out someone who places in his degree of shifts within the centre. Thanks Joe for all the things you’ve completed for our membership. All one of the best for you future wherever that perhaps / <0> /

@jamieheath_: The final participant left from my favourite ever Cardiff crew. It’s unhappy that it’s really an finish of an period, however I’ve belief in BBM to construct a crew that can create extra particular reminiscences as the nice gamers that went earlier than them. All one of the best Ralls 💙

@Teds_Tours27: It’s been a pleasure to observe you pull on the shirt. At all times lead from the entrance, by no means taking a backwards step. Thanks for all of the reminiscences through the years Joe. All one of the best with the following transfer. There’ll at all times be an area within the canton for you. #ThankYouRallys

@liam_brett7: Stylish assertion for a high quality skilled, completely gutted, all one of the best rallsy, you was one of many only a few left in that present squad that really cares.

@Ninian_Talk: All one of the best Joe in no matter is subsequent for you, can be an enormous miss because the crew is at all times higher when you’re main it as captain. Thanks, legend 💙

@Jonno2601: Congrats Rallsy on an ideal profession with us. It’s simple to recollect the great instances however you had been a continuing chief throughout the dangerous instances too. Good luck for the rest of your profession, hopefully the membership make you an envoy sooner or later. Hopefully there’s good instances forward for us!

@Azaccfc81: No phrases can describe our emotions however an enormous thankyou from us followers. You represented all the things Cardiff Metropolis and can be missed for all you probably did on and off the pitch. Membership legend and a hero to all of the youthful followers!

@MactheMoose23: Thanks @Joe_Ralls for all you’ve given the membership through the years. A giant mistake to allow you to go away when your expertise would have been invaluable in League 1. Significantly as u had been the one participant who performed with any ardour not too long ago & was ready to place in a sort out. Unhappy instances

@Richjblake1: Thanks to your service over the 15 years Joe. Somebody who cares deeply concerning the membership and at all times led by instance. Better of luck to no matter is subsequent

@ACommonBluebird: Joe there are few gamers now who present such loyalty and dedication to a membership. It has been a privilege to have you ever with us. So many nice moments. The promotions, The hat trick v Birmingham and lets not neglect bringing that Burnley fan right down to earth. You’ll be missed. Pob lwc

@Grwilliams65: Rallsy i’m gutted. True Metropolis legend. Thanks for giving all the things to our membership. Hopefully see u supporting the boys within the atands someday. 💙

@FrazerJones11: Thanks for all the things, skipper. You’re a particular particular person and a credit score to our membership. We’re going to overlook you.💙

@bluebird1louise: Devastated to learn this however such a heartfelt assertion. Thanks Joe, your contribution and keenness won’t ever be forgotten. Good luck for the long run. 💙

@DiffDevelopment: Pleasure to have recognized you skipper. Mannequin professional, improbable ambassador however at the beginning a high bloke. Greatest needs for the long run Joe, you’ll be sadly missed across the place lad.

Thanks for all the things Joe! You made me one of many proudest males alive that evening my boy bought to stroll out with your self and sort sufficient to offer him your matchworn shirt.All one of the best 🙌⚽️ pic.twitter.com/zDeJh0PHFQ

– Scott Tancock (@Scotttancock1) June 21, 2025